Program · United States · U.S. Marine Corps
CH-53E Super Stallion
CH-53E Super Stallion · Fielded · U.S. Marine Corps
Cost to the Government
| Measure | Variant | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program totals · 1 | |||
| R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate. | All | Not established | — |
| Unit costs · 1 | |||
| Acquisition / unitA source with a defensible unit scope and dollar basis has not been verified. | All | Not established | — |
| Quantities · 2 | |||
| Published / Marine inventorySource snapshot, not a contemporary readiness assessment. | Navy | 136U.S. only | CH-53E Super Stallion fact file U.S. Navy · figure Undated Navy fact file; reviewed Oct 9, 2026 |
| Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified. | All | Not established | — |
| Operating costs · 2 | |||
| Annual O&S / aircraftHistorical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost. | All | $7.39M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018 |
| Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership. | All | $36,631 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
Program totals · 1
- R&D program totalA separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.Source not recordedNot established
Unit costs · 1
- Acquisition / unitA source with a defensible unit scope and dollar basis has not been verified.Source not recordedNot established
Quantities · 2
- Published / Marine inventorySource snapshot, not a contemporary readiness assessment.NavyCH-53E Super Stallion fact file U.S. Navy · figure Undated Navy fact file; reviewed Oct 9, 2026136U.S. only
- Program quantityA comparable total acquisition quantity has not been verified.Source not recordedNot established
Operating costs · 2
- Annual O&S / aircraftHistorical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost.Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018$7.39M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Reimbursement / flight hourPublished billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$36,631 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
Earlier observations · 4
Superseded estimates and prices, each in its original scope and dollar basis.
| Measure | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual O&S / aircraft1 | $6.74M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2011 |
| Annual O&S / aircraft1 | $7.39M / yrConstant FY2018 $ | Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018 |
| Reimbursement / flight hour2 | $38,553 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2025 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2025 |
| Reimbursement / flight hour2 | $36,631 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component | FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026 |
- Annual O&S / aircraft1Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2011$6.74M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Annual O&S / aircraft1Weapon System Sustainment: GAO-21-101SP, FY2011–2018 operating costs GAO · figure FY2018$7.39M / yrConstant FY2018 $
- Reimbursement / flight hour2FY2025 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2025$38,553 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
- Reimbursement / flight hour2FY2026 aircraft hourly reimbursement rates, Other DoD Component column DoD Comptroller · figure FY2026$36,631 / hrNominal $; Other DoD Component
1Historical average for the source study population; not a marginal mission cost.
2Published billing rate for use by another DoD component. It is not the fully burdened cost of ownership.
Sustainment during replacement
The legacy CH-53E and new CH-53K have different acquisition programs and operating profiles. Historical CH-53E annual ownership cost remains useful for understanding the existing fleet, but the CH-53K purchase price is not an E-model replacement quote.
Open research: Figures retain the date and scope of the original source. A historical count, cumulative delivery or procurement plan is not today’s mission-capable inventory. A source with a defensible unit scope and dollar basis has not been verified. A separately identified lifetime development total has not been verified. This is not a zero-cost estimate.
What the government budgets and pays for this program, from budget justification books, appropriations, acquisition reports and contract announcements. Each figure states its dollar basis. What contractors were obligated is under Contracts.
No participants, contracts or systems recorded for this program yet.